Nomos 11

BYZANTINE SEALS, Ecumenical patriarchs of Constantinople. Joseph I Galesiotes, 1266-1275 and 1282-1283. Seal (Lead, 45 mm, 59.37 g, 11 h), a patriarchal seal used for official documents. ΜΗΡ ΘΥ The Virgin Theotokos, nimbate, wearing maphorion and holding the facing nimbate Christ child on her lap, seated facing on elaborate, high-backed throne. Rev. + / ΙωCΗΦ / ΕΛΕω ΘΥ ΑΡΧΙ / ΕΠΙCΚΟΠΟC ΚωΝ / CΤΑΝΤΙΝΟΥΠΟΛΕ/ ωC ΝΕΑC ΡωΜΗC / ΚΑΙ ΟΙΚΟΥΜΕΝΙ / ΚΟC ΠΡΙΑΡΧ / ΗC. Laurent 35 var. Zacos & Veglery 39 var. Very rare. A large and impressive seal with a fine light tan-grey patina. About extremely fine.

From a collection in the USA.

Joseph I became a monk after eight years of marriage; after rising steadily through the hierarchy he became abbot of the monastery of Lazaros on Mount Galesios north of Ephesos in 1259/60. He was appointed confessor to Michael VIII and entrusted with a number of diplomatic tasks; after Michael deposed Patriarch Arsenios 1266 Joseph was made Patriarch in his stead. In the early 1270s the Patriarch and the emperor fell out over Michael’s attempts to unify the Orthodox and Catholic Churches; Joseph resigned in January 1275. After Michael’s death his more Orthodox son Andronikos II returned Joseph to the patriarchate; his health was, however, so poor that he had to resign again before his death on 23 March 1283. He was later canonized by the Orthodox Church.